What Happens To Retired Cruise Ships?

Above, Majesty of the Seas at Havana Port in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2019, a friend and I took a cruise to Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas.

The following year, Majesty of the Seas was sold to Seajet in Greece. This took place when the worldwide pandemic hit. Majesty has been sitting and deteriorating ever since.

Some may ask, What happens to cruise ships after they're retired?

To answer that question Yahoo! Life posted an article.

It begins with:

Cruise ships are so massive that some of them are actually bigger than aircraft carriers. But like any other vessel on the ocean, they don't last forever. When their eventual end comes, cruise lines sometimes sell retiring ships to other companies, who repurpose them in various ways. This was the case with the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth 2, which are now floating hotels in California and Dubai, respectively.

Sometimes, cruise ships are rebranded and continue sailing the world after they're sold. For example, Margaritaville at Sea's newest addition, the Beachcomber, was actually purchased from Costa Cruises. In fact, this is the third ship the Jimmy Buffet-inspired cruise line has bought from Costa. However, the Majesty of the Seas, once one of Royal Caribbean's biggest ships, didn't get a new lease on life. It was sold to Greek ferry company Seajets in 2020. For years, the deteriorating ship has been docked, with no signs of sailing again.

If there is no demand for a ship to be repurposed, it may be scrapped. This was the fate for several Carnival cruise ships over the years, including the Ecstasy, the Fantasy, and the Sensation, among others. The decision to scrap a cruise ship is typically made for a variety of reasons, which can include renovation costs. Essentially, any money spent to modernize an older, outdated ship could ultimately result in a net loss. Some of these ships eventually end up in the largest cruise ship graveyard in the world.

To read more, go here. 

U.S. News Reveals Best 2026 Best Cruise Lines

Above, cruise ships docked at Nassau, Bahamas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Like anything else manmade, some cruise lines are better than others.

Thankfully, news organizations can help steer people away from crummy cruise lines to better ones.

U.S. News & World Report has posted their 2026 list of what they consider to be the best cruise lines.

According to the Taos News:

The 12th installment of the Best Cruise Lines rankings expands to highlight 19 of the most popular ocean cruise lines across 10 categories catering to various travelers, including couples, families, and those seeking luxury or a scenic Mediterranean adventure. New categories this year highlight the Best Cruise Lines for Dining – Luxury, Best Cruise Lines for Dining – Mainstream, Best Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers and Best Cruise Lines for Wellness.

To read more, go here. 

Cruise Passengers Concerned As FAA Cuts Flights

It's a good thing that I have no plans for any air travel during the holiday season. I did fly to Des Moines, Iowa last month which went smoothly.

Thanks to the Schumer Shutdown, starting today, airlines will be cutting flights by 10% due to call-offs by air traffic controllers who have missed getting paid during two pay cycles.

This cut in flights may affect those who are about to take a cruise.

According to Cruise Hive:

Cruise guests heading for upcoming cruises are bracing for widespread flight disruptions after the FAA confirmed it plans to reduce air traffic by 10 percent beginning Friday, November 7, 2025, across 40 major US airports.

The move, tied to the ongoing government shutdown and staffing limits among air traffic controllers, has cruise passengers scrambling for answers days before they are set to fly to their cruise port.

To read more, go here. 

Cruise Ships Seeing Record Number of Outbreaks

Above, bathers in the pool area on a cruise to the Bahamas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following is why I feel having mega cruise ships is a lousy idea, especially since COVID.

I have been on three cruises and I have contracted a virus during two of them. Luckily, they were relatively minor. 

Taking a cruise may seem like a great idea, but having thousands of people in a limited amount of space is bound to spread illnesses. Frankly, cruise ships are floating petri dishes.

This year has been a record year for outbreaks.

According to SFGate:

Cruise ships are seeing a record year for outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses. So far, there have been 20 outbreaks on the vessels, mostly of norovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last year, which was also a record year for outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness, there were 18.

The latest outbreak involved the Oceania Insignia of Oceania Cruises on an 11-day (October 16-27) Montreal to Boston cruise, the CDC reported. The outbreak affected 75 people: 74 passengers out of 637 passengers (11.6%) and 1 crew member out of 391 (0.3%). Those afflicted saw symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. 

To read more, go here. 

Beloved Royal Caribbean Vessel Now Looks Like A Ghost Ship

Above, Majesty of The Seas docked at Havana Port in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In April 2019, a friend and I took a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba. 

A year later, Royal Caribbean retired Majesty and sold the ship to Seajets in Greece. Then the pandemic hit. Since then, Majesty of the Seas, renamed Majesty of the Oceans, has been sitting unused in Greece. Its future is uncertain.

Above, yours truly aboard Majesty of the Seas. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

The following from Yahoo! Life shows the ship today.

They posted:

When cruise lines like Royal Caribbean build a new cruise ship, they don’t expect it to sail in their fleet forever. Most major cruise lines plan to get about 30 years of life out of each new ship they build, but that doesn’t mean that a ship is scrapped when it’s retired.

Large cruise lines often sell their aging vessels to smaller lines that will refurbish and rebrand them to continue sailing for many years to come. For example, up-and-coming cruise line Margaritaville at Sea is growing its fleet with ships purchased from larger Costa Cruises.

But while Margaritaville at Sea has carried out its expansion plans successfully with refurbished ships, some cruise lines’ plans for acquired ships don’t work out so well.

That appears to be the case for Greek ferry operator Seajets, which bought up eight cruise ships during the pandemic, according to a Cruise Industry News report, including Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas. Some of the ships Seajets purchased have since been sold for scrapping, while others, like Majesty, are laid up and deteriorating in a Greek port.

A recent YouTube video by drone videographer Michael Miller, which was shared in the Royal Caribbean community on Reddit, offers a haunting look at how Majesty now floats like an abandoned ghost ship in a port in Eleusis, Greece.

It is sad that a popular ship is deteriorating away. 

To read more, go here.

When To Book A Cruise: It's About Timing

Everyone loves to save money. That goes for saving money when making travel plans.

One may wonder when to book one's next cruise and when to take it. USA Today has posted an article on when to book the next cruise.

They begin it with:

When it comes to finding cheap cruises, timing can make all the difference.

Fares vary based on numerous factors, from cruise line type to cabin category – and sailing date. Setting sail at peak times can be significantly pricier than other times of year.

“Summertime is going to be the most expensive, holidays (are) going to be the most expensive,” RacQuelle Major-Holland, owner of Major Adventures Travel Agency, told USA TODAY.

The departure date isn’t the only one that matters, either. It pays for passengers to be strategic about when they make reservations as well.

To read more, go here. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Adds Dining Limit On Room Service

Above, the stateroom aboard NCL's Majesty of the Seas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although I have been on three cruises over the years, I have never dined in the ship's staterooms.

It's a good thing I haven't since the cruise lines tack on extra charges along with a 20% gratuity. We've always dined in the dining rooms.

Norwegian Cruise Line is now adding dining limits to room service.

According to Cruise Hive:

Just days after adding fees for a second entree in the Main Dining Room, Norwegian Cruise Line is now imposing fairly strict limits on room service orders.

The change is a recent one, but guests are quickly noticing the restriction, which didn’t exist in September but is now present for October sailings. Specifically, it has been noted aboard Norwegian Sun, which is currently sailing a 16-night sailing between Honolulu and Vancouver.

“Each stateroom occupant may order 1 hot item and 1 cold item (bento box) per delivery,” the room service restriction reads.

This is just more nickel and diming of cruise passengers.

To read more, go here. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Beverage Package Change

Above, beverage carts at Great Stirrup Cay last summer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last summer, I took a cruise to the Bahamas with Norwegian Cruise Line.

One of the stops was at their Great Stirrup Cay island. While there, a friend and I jet skied for about an hour. Later, I strolled down to the beach area and found a bar. I had a cocktail there. I didn't buy any beverage package they offered. I just had one cocktail and paid out of pocket.

There are going to be some changes next year for beverage packages at Great Stirrup Cay. People who have already booked a cruise for next year aren't too happy about it.

Travelhost reported:

Norwegian Cruise Line’s unlimited open bar drink package is very popular with passengers for the value it offers, especially for cruises to the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.

Passengers have long been able to use their beverage packages on the island, but that’s about to change as the cruise line rolls out major upgrades to its private island experience.   

In late 2025, Great Stirrup Cay will debut a brand-new pier, a massive heated pool with swim-up bars, and a splash pad for kids, followed by a huge waterpark boasting 19 waterslides and a dynamic river that will open in summer 2026.

But as passengers sailing to Great Stirrup Cay enjoy its new features, they won’t be able to enjoy the perks of their onboard beverage package on the island if they’re sailing after February 2026. 

To read more, go here. 

12 Ways To Travel In Retirement Without Blowing Your Savings

Above, enjoying a cruise to the Bahamas last year.

Retirement is great, provided one still is in great health. 

I decided to retire ten years ago and haven't regretted a thing. I did have one health scare and that was seven years ago while in Wells, Nevada for a car show and rally. I ended up getting to stents installed in a coronary artery. Other than that, the past ten years have been relatively "smooth sailing" for me.

I have done some traveling during my retirement. I mainly travel via RV (my own motorhome) and have taken a couple of cruises, one to Cuba and one to the Bahamas.

Nasdaq has posted an article on 12 ways to travel in retirement and not breaking the bank.

It begins with:

Many retirees dream of spending their golden years on the go, traveling to destinations they didn’t have the time to get to while they were working. While you might have the time to travel in retirement, it is not cheap. If you aren’t careful in your planning, you could wind up spending much more than you intended. 

To read the full article, go here. 

Why Cruise Ships Are Only Getting Bigger (Video)

 

Norovirus Hits Over 70 People Aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise

Above, the Royal Caribbean ship, Majesty of the Seas, in Havana
 Port. I caught a cold on this cruise ship. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There is one main reason that cruise ship traveling is not my favorite way to vacation: diseases.

Two out of three cruises I have taken had me get sick. They were relatively minor, one a 24-hour flu and the other a head cold.  

With the trend of cruise lines introducing bigger cruise ships, carrying around 5,000 passengers and crew, they are floating petri dishes. 

It has happened again. An outbreak of norovirus occurred on board a Royal Caribbean ship 

According to NBC News:

Over 70 people aboard a 13-day Royal Caribbean cruise have reportedly fallen ill from norovirus ahead of its final destination in Miami, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

The outbreak on the Royal Caribbean International ship Serenade of the Seas, which departed from San Diego on Sept. 19 and is scheduled to arrive in Miami on Thursday, was reported to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program on Sunday. The program is set to help prevent and control the introduction and spread of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships.

The CDC reported that 71 out of 1,874 passengers and one of 883 crew members have "reported being ill during the voyage" and noted that predominant symptoms included diarrhea and vomiting.

To read more, go here. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Quietly Adds Fee For Extra Entrées

Above, last year's cruise to the Bahamas with Norwegian Cruise Line. 

It appears that cruise lines are continuing to add extra charges to things usually complimentary or part of the cruise package. Cruise passengers are feeling that they are being "nickel and dimed" with extra fees by cruise lines.

During my cruise to the Bahamas last year, the only extra charge I paid was for a lobster dinner. For two lobster tails, I thought the $25.00 price was reasonable

Norwegian Cruise Line is adding (quietly) adding a $5.00 charge for additional entrees in complimentary main dining rooms.

According to Cruise Hive:

Norwegian Cruise Line has quietly added a new fee to their dining menu that may surprise guests. While it’s expected that specialty restaurants have an extra charge, the cruise line is now charging $5 for any second, third, or more entrees in their complimentary main dining rooms.

The charge is printed on dining room menus, in small print at the bottom, where it might not be noticed at first.

“One entree per guest. Additional entrees will incur a $5 charge,” the menu reads.

To read more, go here. 

Why You Shouldn’t Trust Online Cruise Reviews

Above, onboard entertainers during a cruise to Havana, Cuba. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On occasion, I will peruse reviews of travel experiences by ordinary people. Naturally, different people have differing opinions. That's where the proverbial "grain of salt" comes in. 

One may have enjoyed the experience while another was totally miserable. This goes for cruises.

Reviews are subjective. Some may even be shills for a cruise line company.  

Above, yours truly at the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, Cuba. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Cruise Hive posted an article on why people should not trust online cruise reviews. 

They begin it with:

Have you ever been told to not believe everything you hear or read on the internet? This advice holds true for cruise ship reviews.

While many cruise guests like to read reviews of different ships before booking their sailing, this isn’t always the best idea.

Here are six reasons why you should think twice before you let online cruise ship reviews determine your vacation plans.

To read more, go here. 

5 Best Cruise Lines For Retirees

Above, a cruise ship near a Alaska glacier. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To be honest, taking cruises isn't my favorite mode of travel. Yes, I've been on three cruises and enjoyed each one of them. My favorite mode of travel is RVing. If a cruise comes up that is very interesting to me, I may indulge myself and go.

That being said, for seniors who do not have an RV, cruises may be just what one's doctor ordered.  

Above, a view of Skagway, Alaska. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Kiplinger has posted the five best cruise lines for seniors. Of the five, I have cruised with one of them, Celebrity Cruises. The cruise I took was to Alaska.

They begin with:

Retirement is the perfect time to set sail. Whether you’re chasing fun, adventure, or bucket-list destinations, cruises offer seniors the comfort, easy access, and unforgettable experiences they deserve after years of work.

According to Shore Excursions Group, seniors make up a significant share of the cruise market, with 32% of passengers being 65-plus.

"Additionally," says Jason R. Margulies, Partner & Maritime Attorney at Lipcon, Marqulies & Winkleman, "since cruises are a mode of transport in and of themselves, seniors don’t have to worry about the chaos of packing and unpacking at each port, moving to different hotels and rooms every night, and the other concerns that come with traveling by land or air to the next destination."

If you’re looking for an experience on ocean waves or river swells, dive into why cruises offer an out-of-this-world adventure for retirees, what to look for in a cruise line, and our top picks for the five best ones suited to active golden agers.

Above, our ship, Celebrity Mercury, docked at Juneau, Alaska. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Early Riser On Cruise Ship Asks For Help

Above, the Norwegian Sky buffet restaurant before opening. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

No matter where I'm at, I am an early riser.

This has never been a problem for me. I have adapted to it by going to bed early, around eight o'clock so I get enough sleep.

This also goes for when I am on a cruise. I generally wake up around four o'clock. During my cruise to the Bahamas last summer, I would go to the top deck where the main buffet restaurant is located. It was not open, but I did manage to get coffee, a small box of cereal (usually Raisin Bran) and milk each morning at a smaller buffet restaurant next to it. I have to take my heart medications with food.

Cruise Fever posted an article on another early riser on board a cruise.

It begins with:

Personally, the very thought of getting up at 5:00 in the morning while on a cruise ship feels like treason to my body and soul.  It would take quite the cup of coffee to even get me to force my eyelids open.

But for one early riser, military life had programmed them to get up early, even when on vacation at sea.  And at just 5 hours after the stroke of midnight, they found a cruise ship with little to do and not enough to eat, or so the post on Reddit explained.

The post on r/CarnivalCruiseFans from a self-described military cruiser sparked an outpouring of support and advice, revealing a community of fellow early-risers—who knew!

The original poster, cruising on Carnival Paradise, took to the social media site to explain their situation. “I’m bored and starving,” they wrote. “There is literally nothing to eat or do here right now. The continental breakfast doesn’t open till 0630.”

They added that even the casino was closed, and no hours were posted, a frustration they shared so their “fellow early risers can prepare better than I did!”

To read more, go here. 

Cruise Industry Suing Hawaii Over "Green Fee"

Above, a Honolulu sunset. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"Democrats never met a tax they didn't like or hike." This was said many times by President Ronald Reagan. Such is the case with Hawaii.

Hawaii is under Democrat control much like California. They passed a "Green Fee" earlier this year on the tourism industry purportedly to fight climate change, which is bullshit anyway. 

The cruise industry is fighting back and plans on suing the state of Hawaii over this tax that's set to go into effect next year.

USA Today reported:

The cruise industry’s leading trade group is suing Hawaii over a new tax on cruises and other travel accommodations.

The state passed the country’s first “Green Fee” earlier this year, raising its transient accommodations tax by 0.75% to 11% to fund climate change resiliency projects and other environmental efforts. The increased fee, set to take effect in 2026, applies to hotels, vacation rentals and – for the first time – cruises.

Cruise Lines International Association said, in an Aug. 27 lawsuit filed in the District of Hawaii, that the change violates federal law, in part because it conflicts with the U.S. Constitution’s Tonnage Clause.

Honolulu Ship Supply Co., Kaua’i Kilohana Partners and Aloha Anuenue Tours LLC are also listed as plaintiffs. They contend that the requirements place an undue burden on cruise lines and passengers and risk undermining Hawaii cruise tourism.

To read more, go here.

Trump DOJ Supports Cuba Lawsuit Against Cruise Lines

Above, Havana's Sierra Maestra cruise terminal. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Politics, including international trade relations, sometimes makes strange bedfellows, even involving lawsuits.

The following article caught my attention by its headline, "Trump DOJ Supports Cuba Lawsuit Against Cruise Lines".

This involves dock facilities at Havana Port that were confiscated by Cuba's communist government. I took a cruise to Havana back in April 2019 and the ship, Majesty of the Seas of Royal Caribbean, used those dock facilities after our arrival. President Trump ended vacation cruises to Cuba in June 2019.

According to Seatrade Cruise News:

The US Department of Justice wants the Supreme Court to review an appeals court decision that sided mostly with cruise lines sued for using Havana docks which had been confiscated by Cuba's communist government.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in October 2024 ruled mostly in favor of cruise companies that were sued under under Title III of the Helms-Burton or Libertad Act which allows US nationals to seek compensation for property taken over by Cuba. The US national, Havana Docks, held a concession to operate facilities that were used by Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean Group, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and MSC Cruises.  

Appeals court decision

The appeals court determined the property of Havana Docks confiscated by Cuba was the concession right to operate and profit from the docks for 99 years, which was set to expire in 2004. The facilities were used by the cruise lines from 2016 to 2019. The court said Havana Docks did not own the real property but had the concession right to operate and benefit from the port.

Above, yours truly at Havana Port just after our arrival.

To read more, go here. 

The Best Time To Book A Cruise

Above, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship docked at Havana Port in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Taking a cruise is a growing means of traveling. More people are "diving in" to this mode of travel.

One may ask, "When is the best time to book a cruise for the lowest prices and best perks?" Southern Living has posted an article that answers that question.

They begin it with:

Booking a cruise can feel like a game of chance—but when you book may matter just as much as where you sail. Prices can swing hundreds of dollars depending on timing, and certain itineraries sell out months, if not a year or more, in advance. 

“That timeline can shift depending on the destination,” says Atlanta-based Michael Consoli, Cruise Planners travel advisor for nearly 25 years who books about 4,500 cruise customers annually.

Whether you're dreaming of a Royal Caribbean escape or a once-in-a-lifetime summer voyage on Viking to chase the midnight sun in Norway, here's how to book smart and maximize your experience.

To read more, go here. 

Forbes: The Truth About Cruise Ship Internet

Above, the Norwegian Sky at Great Stirrup Cay. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If I ever go on another cruise in the future, I am leaving my laptop computer at home.

Last summer, I brought it along for the Bahamas cruise, but I ended up not even taking it out of the suitcase. Why? Internet access aboard the cruise ship was too expensive. I limited my usage to the free access time on my phone or the public WiFi at different ports such as Freeport and Nassau. When not in use, I always put my phone on Airplane Mode to keep from being charged any money.

Forbes has posted an article on the truth about cruise ship Internet and how to get it cheaper.

They begin with:

Until recently, cruise ship internet had a reputation for being slow, patchy, and overpriced. Modern systems have improved dramatically, but the price tag has not shifted much. Mainstream cruise lines still treat connectivity as a premium add-on.

Even with Starlink and other low-orbit networks, the infrastructure costs are significant. The hardware is expensive and bandwidth must be shared among thousands of passengers and crew members. When demand peaks, such as during sea days, speeds can slow.

Most lines charge either by the day or for the duration of the cruise, with higher-tier packages including access to streaming services such as YouTube. The costs quickly add up, especially on longer sailings and on lines that charge by device.

To read more, go here. 

Cruise Lines Deploying More Ships To the Caribbean

Above, the Norwegian Sky docked at Nassau, Bahamas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Cruising in the Caribbean is an enjoyable mode of vacationing. I have cruised in the Caribbean twice. The first was to Havana, Cuba after a stop in Key West in 2019. The second was last year to the Bahamas. 

It is easy to see why cruise lines are increasing the number of cruise ships in the Caribbean. When not in hurricane season, the weather is perfect.

According to Travel Weekly:

The Caribbean has long been the foundation for the contemporary cruise market, and recent moves by the largest cruise lines show that is truer than ever. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in 2026 will put 10% more of its ships in the Caribbean than it has this year, while having 6% less of its fleet in Europe. Its fun-and-sun itineraries were a heavy emphasis throughout the company's Q2 earnings call in late July, when CEO Harry Sommer said that demand for the Caribbean in recent years shaped decisions to increase deployment in the region.

"We want to operate itineraries that have the highest possible guest satisfaction scores and repeat rates, and we think this new deployment in the Caribbean and Bermuda will help to optimize for that number," Sommer said.

To read more, go here.